The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that one of its T-129 ATAK attack helicopters made a precautionary landing in Makurdi, Benue State, on Wednesday. The helicopter, with tail number NAF 503, was acquired by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in a deal valued at over $52 million. According to the Nigerian Air Force, the helicopter made a precautionary landing after providing close air support to ground troops during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, with residents reporting that the attack helicopter had made an emergency landing in the area. Some attributed the incident to a technical fault. However, the Nigerian Air Force has clarified that the landing was carried out in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions. The helicopter has since returned to base, according to the Air Force authorities.
Photographs obtained by SaharaReporters showed the helicopter tilted and stuck in soft farmland at Utur Tse-Igboji community, Bar Council Ward, along the Welfare Quarters-Mopol 13 Ring Road in the city. The photos contradict the claim by the Air Force authorities that the aircraft made a precautionary landing in a community. Instead, the images suggest that the helicopter may have made a forced landing, with its skid sunk in the mud.
A resident, Stephen Ikpam, confirmed that the helicopter landed on farmland in his community of Utur Tse-Igboji. He stated that all lives on board were saved when the Nigerian Air Force helicopter made an emergency landing on their farmland due to a technical fault. Another resident, Orvendega Job, claimed that the aircraft was carrying two pilots and was on patrol when the pilots detected an engine fault and turned back.
The Nigerian Air Force signed a contract with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) at the Farnborough Air Show in July 2022 under former President Buhari. The package, worth $312 million, includes six T-129B ATAK Phase-II helicopters, UMTAS anti-tank missiles, CIRIT 70mm laser-guided rockets, 20mm guns, ASELSAN Aselflir-300T targeting system, electronic warfare suite, plus maintenance, spares, and training for pilots and engineers.
The incident comes three days after a military aircraft, NAF 931, an ATR-42, crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on October 5, 2026, killing all 25 people on board. The crash prompted heightened public attention to military aviation incidents. Since induction, the fleet has flown intensive combat missions in Benue, Borno, Zamfara, and Niger states.
NAF 503 was returning from Ogbadigbo LGA in Benue when it made the precautionary landing. The helicopter is part of a six-helicopter fleet operated by 115 Special Operations Group, Makurdi. Defence trackers note that NAF repainted factory construction numbers to NAF 500 series after delivery, a common practice to mask operational history.
Key points
- The Nigerian Air Force T-129 ATAK attack helicopter was acquired for over $52 million.
- The incident occurred amid reports of a technical fault.
- The helicopter made a precautionary landing after providing close air support to ground troops.
